Long Leads and Dogs: How Not to Break a Bone

Hi, I’m Dr. Maja! Read my introduction to learn more about me and my two crossbreed dogs, Lava and Hela.

Lava has been the absolute worst puppy from day one. Everyone who knows her can confirm it, trust me, it’s not just me. So understandably, her recall was non-existent. When walking with her off-lead in secure areas or letting her play in a dog park, every single dog would eventually approach me but her. It was frustrating, to say the least. So I thought, why not try a long lead? It will be easier to catch the little devil, and it may help her learning recall. Let’s just say, I was very wrong.

Possible Pros of Long Leads

Well, initially it was great. The long lead felt like a breakthrough in Lava’s training, to the point that she always had it attached. It allowed me to control her better, to catch her when she would ignore the recall, and also for other people to catch her when she wouldn’t come to me. Yes, that happened as well, and quite often. Despite carrying all the possible treats in my pocket, if Lava had something on her mind, there was no stopping her. She was always friendly and playful, but she was still a big and bouncy puppy, and that wasn’t always met with a smile. The lead just gave me a false sense of security that she couldn’t run off. Silly, I know, as of course she could, but even thinking of taking the lead off caused me anxiety. The lead was around 30 feet in length and dragged like a very long snake behind her.

Accidents Happen In a Split Second

After using the long lead for almost two years, as I couldn’t trust her without it, something that I could have never guessed happened. On a sunny day in the UK, a bank holiday weekend, Lava and I were out for our usual walk in a nearby park. Dogs and kids everywhere. And Lava being Lava was running around like a lunatic on her long lead, having the best time of her life. I was always close and warning nearby dog walkers of her lead so no one would trip over it. It was exhausting making sure Lava didn’t get into any trouble and making sure she wasn’t wreaking havoc where she passed. Mostly everyone loved her, and she enjoyed meeting dogs on our walk.

And then, in a split second, I felt my day turn upside down. Before I had the chance to process what I was seeing, Lava was running around me, entangling me with her long lead. What I feared might happen to people we meet on our walks was now happening to me, and I had no time to react. As Lava continued running, this time away from me, I felt the sudden force of her pull pushing me violently to the ground, and as I used my wrists to reduce the impact, I heard a horrific crack.

Thankfully, There Is the Adrenaline Rush

The only thing I was grateful for in the next hour was the adrenaline that prevented me from feeling the pain. The wrist was broken and dislocated, but I kept my cool and with the help of a friend, I got Lava home safely first. By the time I reached the A&E, I was sweating from the pain and shock. To fast forward a bit, after two months of wearing a cast, one surgery and wires to keep the bones in adequate position while healing, and months of rehab, now almost three years ago, it feels like ancient history. Lava was a year old then.

She Seemed to Feel Guilty

I never blamed Lava. This was purely my fault, as I misjudged the situation and wasn’t cautious enough. I mostly felt sad that during the time of my recovery, I couldn’t give her the exercise and the attention she required. But interestingly, when I returned home from the A&E that day, Lava looked at me as if she understood what had happened. She was very quiet and unusually cuddly, and I cherished her attention. Although I thought at the time that she must have felt responsible for what happened, I now understand she must have picked up on my mood and did her best to empathize with me. And I loved her for it.

Trust Is Difficult to Obtain

Since the accident, I started letting Lava off the lead more, but the long lead was still occasionally in use. In the last year, the long lead was slowly set aside collecting dust, and I started trusting Lava more. At least trying. As we’re living quite remotely now, I worry less about her escaping, as she is well acquainted with the area and always comes back quickly. But it takes a lot of effort on my end not to worry when she does. I guess I still need to learn how to trust her.